Intimate partner violence in adolescence and BMI in young adulthood: A test of the relationship in the add health cohort

Clark, Cari Jo

Friday, March 30, 2012: 10:40 AM-12:00 PM

Pacific C (San Francisco Marriott Marquis)

Speaker:
Cari Jo Clark, ScD, MPH, University of Minnesota Medical School

Authors:
Shakira Franco Suglia, ScD, Mailman School of Public Health Columbia University
Sonya S. Brady, PhD, University of Minnesota School of Public Health
Susan Everson-Rose, PhD, University of Minnesota Medical School

Presentation Format:
Scientific Program Report

Learning Objectives:

Acquire the prior literature and current findings pertaining to the relationship between IPV and body mass index
Recognize the role that a history of child maltreatment has on the relationship between IPV and body mass index
Identify potential psychosocial and behavioral pathways potentially underlying the relationship between IPV and body mass index

Description:
This study examines the relationship between physical intimate partner violence (IPV) in adolescence and body mass index (BMI) in young adulthood and tests potential moderators (child maltreatment) and mediators (depressive symptoms, physical activity, poor diet) of the relationship. We find that IPV is associated with BMI in young adulthood only among those who experienced child maltreatment. This relationship was mediated in part by psychosocial and behavioral factors. Violence prevention might help stem the obesity epidemic.